Father charged with beating, injuring daughter

A Fayetteville man is charged with seriously injuring his daughter after allegedly beating her with his fists and a belt.

Detectives arrested 36-year-old Robert Mac Allen Thursday morning.

His 16-year-old daughter told authorities Allen punched her in the face and ribs more than once. She also claims her father beat her with a leather strap.

ABC11 Eyewitness News has learned the 16-year-old, Jessica Allen, was treated and released from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on Thursday.

Investigators say the girl had marks on her face and body that appeared to be caused by a belt.

"I know she had lacerations on her face and lacerations on her body indicative she had been beaten with a belt she also had indications of being hit with fist on her face," Sheriff's Department spokesperson Debbie Tanna said.

Deputies haven't commented on what sparked the incident.

"We've received a lot of questions about why we did not charge him with child abuse," Tanna said. "The reason for that is she is 16-year-old and according to law she is an adult."

Tanna says there is a fine line between corporal punishment and abuse or assault.

"If you feel like you are in a position where you are angry enough to hurt someone, best thing you can do is walk away, get a glass or water, give yourself time to cool down chances are you are going to say or do something you can't take back," Tanna said.

Allen is charged with misdemeanor assault on a female. He was taken to the Cumberland County Detention Center and released on a $5,000 bond.

ABC11 did a background check on Allen and found he's been charged in the past with animal cruelty and several felony breaking and entering and larceny charges.